US Agrees to, Supply Ukraine With, F-16 Fighter Jets.<br />NBC reports that the United States <br />and its allies have announced plans <br />to supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets.<br />According to a senior Biden administration <br />official, the jets are part of a long-term <br />plan to strengthen Kyiv's security.<br />According to a senior Biden administration <br />official, the jets are part of a long-term <br />plan to strengthen Kyiv's security.<br />NBC reports that the official also said that it <br />remains unclear when the fighter jets will arrive <br />in Ukraine or which country will provide them.<br />According to the official, the F-16s would <br />not be part of a planned upcoming <br />Ukrainian counteroffensive.<br />On May 19, President Joe Biden told leaders <br />at a G7 meeting in Japan that the U.S. will <br />support the training of Ukrainian pilots.<br />On May 19, President Joe Biden told leaders <br />at a G7 meeting in Japan that the U.S. will <br />support the training of Ukrainian pilots.<br />Discussions about improving <br />the Ukrainian air force reflect <br />our long-term commitment <br />to Ukraine’s self-defense, Biden administration senior official, via NBC.<br />NBC reports that the anonymous official said <br />that the training of Ukrainian pilots would , "take place outside Ukraine at sites in Europe <br />and will require months to complete.".<br />NBC reports that the anonymous official said <br />that the training of Ukrainian pilots would , "take place outside Ukraine at sites in Europe <br />and will require months to complete.".<br />According to Colin Kahl, the Pentagon's top policy official, the process of training Ukrainian pilots could take “about 18 months" to complete.<br />According to Colin Kahl, the Pentagon's top policy official, the process of training Ukrainian pilots could take “about 18 months" to complete.<br />NBC reports that other U.S. defense officials have said <br />training could be cut to as little as six months based on <br />the pilots' knowledge of fighter jets and previous training.<br />While speaking at the House Armed Services Committee, Kahl said that revitalizing Ukraine's military with F-16s could cost as much as $11 billion. .<br />While speaking at the House Armed Services Committee, Kahl said that revitalizing Ukraine's military with F-16s could cost as much as $11 billion.
